This study explores the use of metaphors in President George W. Bush’s speech to the United Nations General Assembly on September 12, 2002, in the context of the Iraq War. Drawing from Conceptual Metaphor Theory, the analysis investigates how metaphorical language functions as a persuasive tool in political discourse, specifically in the justification of military action. Using the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP), the research identifies key metaphors employed by Bush—such as war as a game, peace as a journey, Iraq as a criminal, and weapons as objects of desire—and examines how these metaphors construct Iraq as a growing threat and Saddam Hussein as a tyrannical figure. The findings reveal that Bush’s strategic use of metaphors framed the conflict in emotionally resonant and morally charged terms, facilitating public support for the invasion. The paper situates these findings within broader scholarly discussions on propaganda, rhetoric, and the role of language in shaping political realities.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Theory
- 2.1 Metaphors and Conceptual Metaphors
- 2.2 Methodology
- 2.3 Earlier Publications
- 3. Findings
- 4. Conclusion
- 5. Resources
- 5.1 Appendix
Objectives and Key Themes
This work analyzes the metaphors used in George W. Bush's September 12, 2002 speech to the UN General Assembly to justify the Iraq War. The objective is to understand the persuasive techniques employed and to uncover hidden assumptions and biases within the speech. The analysis uses the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP) to systematically identify and analyze metaphorical language.
- The persuasive power of metaphors in political discourse.
- The role of metaphors in shaping public opinion regarding the Iraq War.
- The identification and analysis of conceptual metaphors used to justify the war.
- Uncovering hidden assumptions and biases in Bush's rhetoric.
- Application of the MIP methodology to political speech analysis.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter sets the stage by providing background information on the Iraq War and George W. Bush's justification for it. It highlights the significant loss of life and the controversy surrounding the war, particularly the lack of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs). The chapter emphasizes Bush's September 12, 2002 speech to the UN General Assembly as a key moment in shaping public opinion. It notes the crucial role of Bush's language in constructing a narrative linking Saddam Hussein, terrorism, and the need for war, even though no direct link between Saddam Hussein and the 9/11 attacks was ever definitively established. The chapter establishes the context and the central question explored in the subsequent analysis: how did Bush use language, specifically metaphors, to justify the war?
2. Theory: This chapter lays out the theoretical foundation for the analysis. It defines metaphors and conceptual metaphors, explaining how they function as cognitive processes, not merely linguistic devices. The chapter details the theory that abstract concepts are understood through mappings from more concrete, physical experiences. The “love is a journey” metaphor is used as an example to illustrate how this mapping process shapes understanding and influences language. The chapter emphasizes the pervasiveness of conceptual metaphors in everyday thought, language, and behavior, concluding that their analysis offers key insights into how we understand and communicate complex ideas. This sets the groundwork for understanding how metaphors are used persuasively in the subsequent analysis of Bush's speech.
2.2 Methodology: This chapter outlines the specific methodology used in the research, namely the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP). The MIP is detailed step-by-step, explaining its application to identify and analyze metaphorical language in discourse. The chapter emphasizes the systematic and reliable nature of the MIP, highlighting its suitability for analyzing persuasive techniques in political discourse. The chapter explains how the MIP will be used to analyze the metaphors in Bush's speech and what specific aspects of the speech (persuasive techniques, hidden assumptions, speaker's goals) the researchers aim to uncover through applying the MIP. The chapter clarifies the aim to analyze the role of metaphors and conceptual metaphors in justifying a war, with Bush's speech as a case study.
Keywords
Metaphor, Conceptual Metaphor, Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP), George W. Bush, Iraq War, Persuasion, Political Discourse, Public Opinion, Propaganda, War Justification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the document about?
This document is a language preview from a publishing company, intended for academic use in analyzing themes. It focuses on a specific text, likely related to the justification of the Iraq War by George W. Bush.
What does the language preview include?
The preview includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and a list of keywords.
What is the central text being analyzed?
The text being analyzed is George W. Bush's September 12, 2002 speech to the UN General Assembly.
What are the objectives of the analysis?
The objectives are to understand the persuasive techniques used in the speech, uncover hidden assumptions and biases, and analyze the role of metaphors in shaping public opinion regarding the Iraq War.
What methodology is used in the analysis?
The Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP) is used to systematically identify and analyze metaphorical language in the speech.
What are the key themes discussed in the document?
The key themes include the persuasive power of metaphors in political discourse, the role of metaphors in shaping public opinion about the Iraq War, the identification and analysis of conceptual metaphors used to justify the war, and uncovering hidden assumptions and biases in Bush's rhetoric.
What does Chapter 1 (Introduction) cover?
Chapter 1 provides background information on the Iraq War, Bush's justification for it, the controversy surrounding the lack of WMDs, and the importance of Bush's September 12, 2002 speech in shaping public opinion. It highlights how Bush's language constructed a narrative linking Saddam Hussein to terrorism.
What does Chapter 2 (Theory) cover?
Chapter 2 lays out the theoretical foundation for the analysis, defining metaphors and conceptual metaphors and explaining how they function as cognitive processes. It details how abstract concepts are understood through mappings from concrete, physical experiences.
What does the Methodology Section of Chapter 2 cover?
This section describes the specific methodology used in the research, the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP). It explains how the MIP is applied to identify and analyze metaphorical language in discourse.
What are the keywords associated with the document?
The keywords are: Metaphor, Conceptual Metaphor, Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP), George W. Bush, Iraq War, Persuasion, Political Discourse, Public Opinion, Propaganda, War Justification.
- Quote paper
- Mehmet Akif Kuru (Author), 2023, Metaphor Analysis: Iraq War. G. W. Bush speech to the UN General Assembly, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1574344
